ROCKLEAZE Rangers manager Carmelo Micciche has identified his team's next two matches – against Kings Stanley and Southmead CS Athletic – as key to determining their true standing in the County League.

Rockleaze, who have played only ten league games this season, have as many as five matches in hand on some of their rivals.

So, despite going into the weekend ten points behind leaders Tuffley Rovers – albeit with three games in hand – Micciche feels matches against third-placed Kings Stanley and Southmead, who are second, will offer a good insight into his team's capabilities.

Rockleaze are due to travel to Kings Stanley tomorrow, before hosting Southmead next weekend, and Micciche said: "We have looked at these two games and realised they will probably give us a good idea of how we are going to do this season.

"It would be a bit annoying if the weather wipes out one or both of them, because we have been looking at these games for a few weeks. They should give us a good indication of what we are going to do."

Thornbury Town manager Bill Bond will be looking to make it four wins in five games since he took the reins when his side visit Yate Town Reserves tomorrow.

But Bond is without up to seven players – Christian Irwin's wedding means he and brothers Ross and Nathan are missing, while Ricky and Al Lippiatt are unavailable due to work commitments.

"We've had three wins in four and I've been delighted with the response I've had from the players," said Bond. "The next three or four games are important, because we need to really push away from the bottom pack."

Hanham Athletic, 2-0 victors at Kingswood last weekend, are now just five points off the top of the table and they host Longlevens tomorrow.

Manager Steve Burton welcomes midfielder Craig Stone back from suspension, but Mike Saddler misses out with a hamstring injury.

Patchway Town, beaten 3-2 by Henbury last weekend, host bottom-of-the-table Berkeley Town and will be without Chris Chinnick due to a suspension.

Henbury, meanwhile, will look to build on last weekend's victory when they visit Bristol Academy, with manager Mark Love pleased to have secured a reliable senior goalkeeper in Ashley Newman.

Southmead CS Athletic travel to Frampton United without Vinnie Coote, who is unavailable due to work commitments, and they will be looking to bounce back after a draw and defeat in their last two games.

Player-boss Gary Booth said: "We almost had too good a start and the lads got a bit carried away. So we've gone back to basics and this period leading up to Christmas is really important for us."

DRG Frenchay manager Dave Johnson has ended his search for a striker by landing Bitton frontman James Kenway.

He will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's home clash with Chipping Sodbury Town.